There are things in the same category that offer almost the same function but completely different features and characteristics. It is like the iPhone users versus Android users who have their own preferences. The same goes for cookware. One of the most talked-about concerns regarding kitchen materials is the ceramic vs. Teflon topic.
Ceramic vs. Teflon
The ceramic cookware and Teflon cookware have fair differences in characteristics, but they both fall in the kitchen cookware category. They are also well-known to be a type of cookware that is non-stick, which most people prefer to use when they cook.
Take a look at the comparison table below to help you decide which one do you need or do you prefer the most:
| CHARACTERISTIC | CERAMIC | TEFLON |
| Durability | Can last up to 5 years depending on how it is used and taken care of but Teflon is more durable than ceramic | |
| Performance | Higher possibility that you may often encounter your food to stick onto the pan | Highly preferred by end-users as it is great at preventing the food to stick on the surface of the pan |
| Price | More expensive | Usually cheaper |
| Safety | Highly recommended as long as you purchase it from a respectable store or retailer but the safety is not guaranteed when purchased from non-reputable manufacturers | Used to be considered harmful as it contained chemicals that can cause cancer but the pans that have been manufactured from 2013 up to date are considered to be PFOA-Free |
| Usage and Maintenance | Easy to use and low maintenance as it does not require much seasoning. However, both are often not safe to use in either dishwasher or oven. Can be damaged when you use a hard bristled brush or abrasive sponge, baking soda, as well as metal utensils. | |
Ceramic
Though it is named ceramic cookware, it does not necessarily mean that its entirety is made from ceramic material. Ceramic cookware is metallic cookware made out of aluminum or steel, which is only coated with ceramic. The ceramic coating is made out of mineral-based-blends and inorganic minerals such as oxygen and silicon.
Ceramic cookware is well known for its non-stick property. In line with this, it makes the ceramic cookware easier to clean than the rest. You can wipe the stains away even with hot water and soap only.
Moreover, it is also known to be a great heat conductor. But despite this, it also takes a little while to heat up.
If you want to flaunt your cookware to your guests, this is the perfect cookware for you as it comes in various aesthetically pleasing colors.
Moreover, it is also safe to cook alkaline and acidic food using this type of cookware because it is non-reactive at all, and at the same time, it is safe for you to use this with your induction cooktop.
However, despite all the advantages, it also has disadvantages that can be non-negotiable for you. Ceramic cookware tends to be heavier than the others because of the multiple additional layers of the ceramic coating. It is also sensitive and fragile because it quickly gets scratches and possibly chips off when not handled with care.
It also has a shorter lifespan than the other cookware types due to its sensitivity and flimsiness. Although it is highly recommended to purchase from reputable manufacturers and retailers to ensure safety, it still lacks safety studies to prove its claim that the ceramic coating is non-toxic when indirectly ingested.
Take a quick look at the summarized table below to know the advantages and disadvantages of ceramic cookware:
| ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
| Non-stick | Heavier compared to some cookware |
| Easy to clean and low maintenance | Sensitive |
| Great heat conductor | Takes a while to heat |
| Aesthetic and colorful | Fragile |
| Non-reactive to acidic food | Less Durable |
| Safe to use for induction | Lacks safety studies |
Teflon
Another non-stick type of cookware is Teflon. The term is actually the name of the brand that creates the PTFE substance. PTFE stands for Polytetrafluoroethylene, which is also metallic-coated cookware. Teflon is made of fluorine and carbon atoms. It is a synthetic chemical used to coat a pan to provide its non-stick property.
Teflon cookware is the most famous type of cookware that is non-stick. It is less expensive than ceramic cookware and does its purpose just the same. Despite it being cheaper than most cookware, it is still sturdy and somehow durable compared to ceramic cookware.
Moreover, it is also easy to clean because its non-stick surface makes it smooth. It is also best for people who prefer a healthy lifestyle because cooking in Teflon cookware will not require much butter and oil.
However, despite having multiple advantages, it also has its set of disadvantages. It is not recommended that you use metal utensils while you cook. The same goes for abrasive pads or hard-bristled brushes for cleaning, as they can cause severe damage to the coated surface. Hence, it is also sensitive cookware.
In addition, it is not safe to use in a dishwasher and oven. And it also takes a little while before it reaches its heat point.
| ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
| Non-stick | Not metal utensils friendly |
| Less Expensive | Easily damaged when you use abrasive pads or hard-bristled brush for cleaning |
| Easier to clean | Not dishwasher and oven safe |
| Less use of butter and oil | Not a good heat conductor |
How to Clean Ceramic and Teflon Cookware
It is essential that you learn how to properly clean your nonstick cookware because it is one of many reasons why it can last for a long time. This is not just an ordinary pan where you can do whatever you want as long as you think it is already cleaned.
The steps are so easy to follow that you will not have difficulty familiarizing yourself with cleaning ceramic and Teflon cookware properly.
Steps on how to properly clean ceramic cookware
- It is not advisable to let your ceramic cookware experience an abrupt temperature change as it can cause gradual damage. Make sure that you let it cool down first before submerging it in a basin filled with water or let running water fill it.
- Create a solution by mixing warm water with dishwashing liquid and use it to clean the ceramic cookware utilizing a sponge or any dishcloth.
- Wipe the interiors of the ceramic cookware and the outer parts, especially the edges where most food residue accumulates.
- Rinse the ceramic cookware thoroughly with clean and running water.
- You can opt to use a paper towel or a clean dish towel to wipe it off and dry.
Steps on how to properly clean a Teflon cookware
- Ensure that you empty the pan by removing all the food scraps and oil using a wooden spatula and placing it in a plastic bag.
- Oils are tough to remove. Therefore, rinse the pan with hot water or let it soak in hot water to remove any oil residue thoroughly.
- If there is still oil residue, you can also try creating a solution by mixing hot water and white vinegar and letting the nonstick pan soak in it. Repeat the process until it is no longer greasy.
- Wash the pan with hot water and dishwashing liquid. Wipe it clean using a sponge. Remember, avoid using an abrasive brush to prevent damage to the coating.
- Rinse with water thoroughly.
- Dry it using a paper towel or a dishtowel.
3 Tips Care guide for Ceramic Cookware
To prolong the lifespan of your ceramic cookware, you must know how to take care of it.
Practice heating and cooling of the nonstick cookware properly
Avoid abrupt temperature changes to your ceramic cookware. Ensure that you allow it to heat up slowly. The recommended heat temperature for ceramic cookware is only at low up to medium heat settings. This will help you prolong the lifespan of your precious cookware.
After use, let it cool down for a short while before submerging into the water because abrupt and extreme temperature changes will only cause damage to the ceramic coating.
Avoid using sharp utensils
Another care guide that you should always keep in mind is to avoid any sharp utensils that may scratch the coating of your ceramic cookware. Remember that this coating is what gives your cookware its nonstick property.
Therefore, only use silicone, nylon, or wood utensils for cooking and avoid abrasive pads and brushes when cleaning.
Stack and Store Properly
Though you can do this without help from a cookware protector, you may want to consider purchasing some as it is a good investment. This can guarantee you that your precious and expensive cookware will last for a long time.
3 Tips Care guide for Teflon Cookware
Always keep these tips in mind to ensure that your Teflon cookware will serve you through the years.
Avoid using metal utensils
It is highly not advisable to use metal utensils on your Teflon pan because it will only cause damage to the coating. Nylon, silicone, plastic, and wooden utensils are recommended.
Low to Moderate Heat Temperature
Teflon nonstick pans are not great heat conductors. Therefore, it is advisable only to set the heat temperature between low and moderate.
Avoid sudden temperature changes
It is advisable to let it cool first before submerging it in water. Abrupt temperature changes will only cause your pan to warp, leading to failing cooking performance.
Summary
We now have talked about ceramic vs. Teflon cookware. We have already established their similarities and differences, which can serve as your buying guide when you are having difficulty deciding which one you should purchase. You can compare the two and choose which you prefer the most.
